When I had my first child, my most favorite gift that I received at the baby shower was children's books. It is never too early to start reading to babies and infants. Now whenever I give a gift to a new mother, I always include at least one book for her new baby. Researchers have found that babies and infants prefer:

My friend introduced me to essential oils just a few months ago. I've tried several and one of my favorites is probably Wild Orange. It is SO yummy! I love to use the essential oils in cooking and food prep (DISCLAIMER: not all essential oils can be eaten - Do NOT consume an essential oil internally unless labeled with a Supplement Facts box with specific dietary supplement use instructions and warnings).

doTerra's description: "Cold-pressed from the orange peel, wild orange is excellent for energizing and revitalizing. It is also commonly used as an effective tool for uplifting mood, as well as for its wonderful citrusy aroma. For aromatic, topical, or dietary use."

Vanilla Wild Orange Cookies

1. Heat oven to 350 F.2. Mix together cake mix, butter and eggs.3. Add in the essential oil and mix thoroughly.4. Stir in chocolate chips.5. Drop 1-2 tablespoon of dough, 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. 6. Bake 10-12 minutes or until edges are set (centers will be soft and cookies will be very light in color). Cool 1 minute, then remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack.

Other Uses for Wild Orange Essential Oil

Things I've tried and love: Adding a two drops to 8oz of water (or orange juice) for a refreshing drink. Eliminates toxins from the body, while stimulating the lymphatic system. It has very effective actions against colds and flu, especially early in the illness.Adding a drop to unscented hand and body lotion. Aromatic benefits reduces nervous tension and stress, uplifts mood, calming and relaxing, Adding a couple drops to my hand-washing dish soap. Smells so good, lifts my mood and makes me want to wash dishes!Add a few drops to baking soda for a environmentally friendly cleanser that kills fungus and bacteria. As an air freshener: Add several drops of wild orange oil to some water in a spray bottle, shake well, to disperse the oil, and spritz on bed sheets, drapes or upholstery (think Febreze®). May also be sprayed into the air as a fragrant, pathogen-killing air freshener for kitchens and bathrooms.

Have you tried wild orange essential oil? What uses have you found for it?

Two months ago, I was looking at furniture on etsy and kept seeing pieces painted with "chalk paint". The only chalk paint I had heard of was for making chalk board surfaces, so I googled it. I was so surprised and excited at what I discovered! Surprised that I'd never heard of it before, and excited because I couldn't wait to try it out!

I've wanted to paint the oak cabinets in my kitchen and bathrooms for a couple years now, but I hadn't wanted to do all the required prep work - specifically sanding away the previous finish. So I was thrilled to discover that chalk paint can be used on any virtually any surface without any prep work! WAHOO!

Chalk paint is expensive however. Over $40 per quart. But during my research, I read that you could make your own chalk paint by mixing plaster of paris in with the paint. So this is what I tried. I started with a bathroom cabinet and medicine cabinet. Gotta figure out the details of the stuff and get practice before taking on my whole kitchen!